Bobcat Bulletin
Every Bobcat Matters, Every Moment Counts!
News and Events
This is the last week of school before Winter Break. Please see information regarding our school spirit week, Bobcat Christmas, and Winter Concert.
Winter Concert
We are excited to announce our Winter Concert, which will take place on December 18th. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their musical talents. Please make sure to read all the information regarding this event in this edition of the bulletin for details about timing and location. Please see the Winter Concert Post in the bulletin for complete details.
Bobcat Christmas
On Tuesday, December 17th, we will celebrate our annual Bobcat Christmas, sponsored by the PTA. This event is always a highlight of the holiday season, filled with fun activities for our students and families. Be sure to mark your calendars and look out for more details about this festive event.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to an exciting end to the year and wish all of our students the best as they complete their benchmark testing.
Early Release! Friday, December 20th
11:20 Dismissal Time
Families! This is just a reminder that Friday, December 20th is an early release day. We will be dismissed from school at 11:20am. Thank you!
1st Semester Clubs
Our First Semester Clubs have ended. We will not have clubs this week. Clubs will return January, 21st. Please make sure to make arrangements for your child(ren) to get home.
*Mr. Moody (our Librarian) will provide our morning students with the "Rise and Shine" Club
for the week of Dec. 16-20th and then Jan 6th - Jan 17th ~ Mon thru Fri.
The $1 charge will be requested upon attendance each day.
PTA Corner
Bobcat Christmas
☆LAST EVENT BEFORE THE NEW YEAR☆
December 17th is our Annual Bobcat Christmas in the cafeteria from 5:00pm until 7:30pm.
What to expect:
•family/kid photos with Santa- $5.00
•crafts, snacks and water for purchase
•FREE cookies and hot cider or hot cocoa
CASH ONLY please
☆if you would like to volunteer for this event, please reach out☆
PTA platinum Sponsorship
On behalf of the Taylor Hicks PTA, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous Platinum sponsorship. Your support plays a vital role in enriching the educational experiences of our students and helping to fund important school programs and events.
We are incredibly grateful for your continued partnership and commitment to our school community. Your sponsorship not only enhances our PTA efforts but also shows the strength of community collaboration.
Thank you once again for your generosity and for being a valued supporter of our school.
Winter Concert
Drop off and pick up locations
Hello Families!
Winter Concert Information – Wednesday, December 18th
We’re excited to invite you to our Winter Concert on Wednesday, December 18th! Please see the schedule and important details below:
Grades K-2:
Performance begins at 5:00 PM.
Arrival time: 4:30 PM.
Students will gather in the High School Band Room before the performance.Grades 3-4:
Performance begins at 6:00 PM.
Arrival time: 5:40 PM.
Students will also gather in the High School Band Room before their performance.
Arrival and Check-In:
Upon arrival, staff will direct families to the appropriate locations. Parents will check in their children with staff, then enter the auditorium to find a seat. After the performance, parents will exit via the back doors (stage left) and check out their child from the Band Room. Staff will be on hand to assist and make announcements throughout the event.
Each grade level will perform two songs. After their individual performances, there will be one song sung by all grade levels from each group. K-2 will have a total of 7 songs and Grades 3-4 will have a total of 5 songs.A concession stand will be available in the lobby for snacks and drinks, so please feel free to stop by!
What to Wear:
We have some fun and festive dress guidelines for each grade level:
- K: Snowman-themed items and Christmas colors
- 1st: Reindeer-themed outfits or dressy Christmas attire
- 2nd: Christmas-themed or dressy outfits, or silver and blue
- 3rd: Outfits featuring Christmas pets, or anything Santa (hats, outfits, etc.)
- 4th: Fleece or fuzzy attire in Christmas colors, or clothing with holiday lights or necklaces
We will be sending another email later this week with additional details, so please keep an eye out for it!
We look forward to seeing you there!
School Spirit Week
Counselor Corner
Substitute Opportunities
Attention PUSD parents and guardians: Have you ever considered supporting your child's school by serving as a substitute teacher? As a substitute teacher, you can select which schools you work in, the subjects or grade levels you want to support, and the days that work with your schedule. Our Teachers and Principals would love to have you serve as substitutes in their schools.
Substitute teachers and paraprofessionals earn $121 - $131/day depending on training.
Substitute teaching positions require a Bachelor's degree and IVP Fingerprint clearance card.
More details and an application can be found HERE.
We hope you consider supporting our students and staff by becoming a Substitute teacher!
Tax Credit Donations
Support Taylor Hicks Elementary through Tax Credit Donations
Dear Families,
I'd like to share an important opportunity to support Taylor Hicks Elementary School and benefit from a tax credit at the same time.
Arizona law provides a unique opportunity for taxpayers to make contributions to public schools and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on their state taxes. By donating to our school, you can help fund extracurricular activities, field trips, and other enrichment programs that significantly enhance our students’ educational experience. Your contribution ensures that we can continue offering these vital programs, which are often not fully supported by regular school funding.
Here’s how it works:
- Eligibility: Any Arizona taxpayer can make a donation, whether you have children attending the school or not.
- Tax Benefits: Individuals can contribute up to $200, and married couples filing jointly can contribute up to $400. You will receive this amount back as a tax credit, reducing the taxes you owe to the state dollar-for-dollar.
- Direct Impact: 100% of your donation goes directly to Taylor Hicks Elementary School, supporting the programs that matter most to our students and enriching their educational journey.
By making a tax credit donation, you are helping to provide our students with opportunities that extend beyond the classroom, fostering their creativity, teamwork, and personal growth. Whether it’s helping fund an educational field trip, supporting the habitat learning space, or ensuring that every child has the chance to participate in extracurricular opportunities, your donation makes a lasting difference in their lives.
To contribute, simply visit the click the button below and select Taylor Hicks Elementary School as the recipient. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly impactful. Thank you for considering this meaningful way to support our students while also receiving a tax benefit. Together, we can continue to make Taylor Hicks Elementary a place where every student thrives!
Warm regards,
Kevin Hilton
Principal
Taylor Hicks Elementary School
[Your Contact Information]
Attendance Matters!
One of our core values is ensuring that every student reaches their full potential, and a critical component of this is consistent attendance. Regular school attendance is crucial for academic success and social development. Each day at school is packed with opportunities for learning, interaction, and personal growth that can significantly impact your child’s future.
Here are a few key reasons why regular attendance is so important:
Academic Success: Daily classroom instruction builds upon previous lessons. Consistent attendance helps your child stay on track with their learning goals and avoid falling behind.
Social Development: School is not just about academics; it’s also where children learn valuable social skills. Regular attendance allows students to form strong relationships with peers and participate in group activities.
Building Routines: Consistent attendance helps children develop good habits and routines that contribute to their overall well-being and organizational skills.
Opportunities for Growth: Every day at school presents new learning opportunities, from hands-on projects to interactive discussions. Your child's presence ensures they don’t miss out on these valuable experiences.
We understand that life can present challenges, and sometimes absences are unavoidable. However, we encourage you to work with us to minimize absences and ensure your child gets the most out of their educational experience.
Together, we can make this school year a successful and enriching experience for your child. We appreciate your commitment to their education and look forward to a fantastic year ahead.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
21st CCLC Club program
Pick up Locations
Hello Club Families,
Club pick up locations have been established and we are so appreciative of your patience. We are so thankful that we have been able to add 21st CCLC clubs for our students. This is an important opportunity to provide enrichment, academic support, and provide new and exciting opportunities for all of our Bobcats. Please review the club pick up locations below. Please note, these locations may different each day, as we have different students participating in different clubs each day.
Arizona Department of Education Tutoring
Attention PUSD Families!
While we won’t be able to offer our free tutoring program this year due to the end of COVID-relief funding, we’ve got good news! The State of Arizona still offers free tutoring options to help your child succeed.
To find a tutoring provider, just visit the Authorized ATP Tutoring Providers page on the Arizona Department of Education website. There, you can connect with an approved tutor and set up sessions that fit your schedule.
If the link doesn't work, paste the following into your browser: https://www.azed.gov/achievement-tutoring-program/authorized-atp-tutoring-providers
Help Our Schools Earn Money!
Farm to School Newsletter!
After School Dismissal
Families, Please read carefully as we need your help at dismissal.
We have multiple classes that are exiting out of the front doors to their pick up locations. If you are picking up your student please wait on the blacktop area or sidewalk along the habitat (garden area). Our K students are lining up on near the benches and our 2nd grade students need to get to the lawn. If you can help us keeping these areas clear we can get our students to those locations more easily. Thank you so much!
School dismissal is at 2:20 on Monday-Thursday and 1:20 on Fridays. Students WILL NOT be released until the dismissal bell rings. Parents, please remain in your vehicles while in the pick up lines. Staff members will walk your student to meet you at your car and help load them up. This helps keep the line moving. We appreciate your help.
If you would like to walk up to get your child, you may find a parking spot and check out your students with your teacher. Please allow the classroom teachers to walk to their designated pick up location before you check out your student. Each of our grade levels will be dismissed to specific zones, once they get to that zone you can check them out with your teacher.
- Kindergarten, Best 1, and Best 2 will dismiss outside the front doors along the main building.
- 1st grade- Classes will line up on the blacktop behind the gates to the playground
- 2nd Grade will dismiss and line up along the brick wall on the front lawn
- 3rd and 4th grade- will dismiss at the Taylor Hicks Drive gate. This is a small area so PLEASE be courteous with one another and or neighbors as you wait for our children. Also, please make sure to follow the traffic pattern highlighted below.
Families, please make sure that if your student is being picked up from school that the person picking them up has their identification with them and that they are listed in powerschool approved to pick them up. If you unsure, please contact the office.
Transportation
Changes to your Plan?
We know that many families like to drop off and pick up their students on the first days of school. Once the year gets going that can change as your comfort level and schedules change. Please remember that if your plan for your student changes during the day to give the front office a call and dojo message the teacher.
Need Transportation to school? Click the link to register your child with our transportation department. This form must be completed online to register to ride the bus. Please make sure to complete this before the first day of school. This helps us make sure that your student makes it to the right bus after school. The earlier we can get this information, the easier it is to make sure that all students are safe, comfortable, and feeling confident in how they are getting home.
Lunch Schedules
M-F Normal Lunch Schedule
Kindergarten- 11:15-11:40
1st Grade 11:40-12:05
2nd Grade 11:50-12:15
3rd Grade 12:10-12:35
4th Grade 11:25-11:50
Taylor Hicks Parent Handbook
Please use this link to read and review our TH parent handbook. This handbook covers all the Taylor Hicks ES policies and procedures that you need to know about. You will find procedures such as: birthday policies, student check out procedures, nurse information, and much more!
Free and Reduced Lunch
Dear Taylor Hicks families,
We need your help! Our school will benefit tremendously by having all families complete the National School Lunch Program application. Many of our federal tax dollars do not come back to PUSD, and to Taylor Hicks Elementary, based on under-reporting of the needs in our community.
PUSD and Taylor Hicks ES participate in the National School Lunch Program, and offer breakfast and lunch to students every school day. Free or reduced-cost meals are available to qualifying families. The application process is safe, confidential, and simple. We encourage you to apply today because your school benefits!
Federal grant funds can provide additional programs and services in our schools. Eligibility for both federal and many privately-funded grants are determined in large measure by the number of our students who qualify for free or reduced meals. These programs can enhance our academic and after-school offerings. We may be able to offer Title I reading and math interventions, free after-school programs, and much more.
Even if your student does not take advantage of free or reduced-cost lunches at school, funding will still be awarded to Taylor Hicks based on our number of eligible families. Can I ask that you take a few minutes to help increase Taylor Hicks' opportunity for funding by completing the application today?